"Twelve cancers are linked to firefighting, so we need to get the word out there," New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training Director Perry Plummer said. "We need to educate our people so they can protect themselves."

A 2006 study found firefighters are 102 percent more likely than an average man to be diagnosed with testicular cancer. They also suffer from skin cancer at a rate that is 39 percent higher than the rest of the population.

Part of the problem could be that crews often remove their breathing masks when they aren't actually fighting a fire.

"We sit outside the door, waiting to go in, and we leave our mask off," Portsmouth Fire Department representative Russell Osgood said. "That smoke is outside the door just the same as it is inside the building."

Keeping the mask on during overhaul operations, cleaning gear regularly and showering immediately after a fire call are simple steps that could save lives.

"We are so used to helping other people. I think, when everybody realizes how badly this can effect their own families, they'll be that much more willing to get on board with it," Deering Fire Chief Andy Anderson said.

"There are 8,000 firefighters in the state. Every one of them should see this, and every new firefighter coming in should get this as part of their training," Osgood said.